Method and apparatus fob controlling devices according to conditions



Feb. 0, 1925. l,525,529

F. L.\ WIEDERHOLD METHOD AND APARATUS FOR' CONTROLLING DEVICES ACCORDING TO CONDITIONS OF LIGHT Filed Aug. 1, 1922 INVENTOR w, Wa

A TTORNE Y' Patented Feb. o, 1925.

UNITED STATES ,525,529 PATENTV OFFICE.

FEBDINAND LESLIE WIEDERHOLD, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

I METEOD AND APPARA''US FOR CONTROLLING DEVICES ACCORDING TO CONDITIONS r OF LIGHT.

Application filed 'August 1, 1922. 'Serial No. :578,990.

To all whom it may concem:

' Be it known that- I, FERDINAND LESLE WIEDERHOLD, a 'citizen of the United States, and a resident of Plainfield, in the county of Unionand State of New Jersey, have in- Vented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Con-` trolling Devices According to Conditions of Light, of which the following is a 'specification.

My invention relates to the operation of devices which are desired to come into action only under definite conditions of light, for instanc'e'to devices for turnng on or off electric lights, or gas lights, according to the intensity of the light to which the device is exposed. Thus, an electric light or a gas light may be brought into action 'automatically in the evening, or whenever it gets dark, while under normal daylight conditions the electric light or `'gas light will be turned oli automatically. v

The object of my invention isto provide a method and a device of this character which will be very sensitive, and which will retain such sensitiveness and its efiiciency even after prolonged use of the device.

My invention is based on the fact that certain gases, and particularly chlorine and hydrogen, will not combine when in contact with each other in the dark, even if the mixture is permitted to stand for a long time. When exposed to light of sufiicient intensity, however, the gases will combine at a rate which depends on the intensity of the light, hydrochloric acid being formed i when hydrogen and chlorne are used. The

formation of the compound is, according to my invention, 'accompanied by a reduction ,of the gas Volume. Thus, when chlorine and hydrogen are used, I-efi'ect their 'combination in the presence of a liquid in which v hydrochloric -acid is soluble to a greater eX- tent than the mixture of hydrogen' and chlorine. Therefore, if such miXture and liquid are confined in a suitable vessel, the pressure in said vessel will be reduced by the formati'on of the compound under the action of light, With practically simultaneous solution of the compound, and the variation of pressure may be utilized to operate a valve, switch or other suitable device which Controls the gas light, electric light, or other appliance. e

Another feature of my invention consists' a largely diagrammatic front elevation of 4 one form of my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are partial horizontal sections Onlines 2-2 and 3-3 respectively of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a par tial elevation showing another position of the parte; Fig. 5 is a detail of another form of my invention; Fi 6 is a dagram of still another form; and %g 7 is a partial dagram of a `further form of my invention.

The apparatus shown comprises a vessel 10, made entirely or at least partly of lass or like transparent material, so that day ight or other light by which the apparatus is operated, may be able to enter said vessel and to act on the asses therein. The vessel is 'shown as fiarn partly filled wit a liquid 11 of the character set forth below, the vessel being sealed as indicated at 12; two electrodes 13, 14: of carbon, carborundum, tungsten, tantalum, platinum, or other suitable conducting material project into contact with said liquid. The vessel 10 is secufd in any appropriate manner to a base or frame 15, `for instance by a clamping' band 16. .Preferably a partial vacuum (say, a pressure of from 400 to 500 millimeters) is produced in the vessel, the nipple 17 shown in Fgs. 1 and 2 serving for connection with a vacuum pump -in the usual manner, the end of said nipple or tube being sealed when the desired degree of vacuum has been attained. The liquid contained in the vessel 10 is preferably a mixture of equal volumes of a 50% aqueous solution of calcium chloride and of a 30% aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. When the pressure within the vessel 10 increases owing to the production of gases therein, under the conditions -explained be-` low, the bottom of the vessel will be bulged out slightly, and a metal plate '18, cemented toward one end, and ist on the outside of said bottom, will by its projection 19 act to Swing a lever 20 on its pivot 21. A spring 22 tends to press said lever against the projection 19, so that the lever will follow the movement of the vessel bottom both inward and outward.`

The motion of the lever 20 is used to govern the operation of the light or other device tobe controlled. In theparticular example shownin Fig. 1, I have assumed that the device to be controlled is an electric incandesccnt bulb 23, which may represent the lamps on a motor car. The mechanism and circuits ofFg. 1 are as follows: The lever 20 is adapted to engage a screw or other contact 24, Secured to an elastic bracket or carrier 25, which is fastened to the base or frame 15. This elastic and preferably conducting bracket also carries another contact 26, adapted to engage an elastic metallic strip or other suitable contact-27, secured to said base at 28. The elasticity of the bracket 25 tends to force it toward said contact 27, that is to say, toward the left in Fig. 1; One of the electrodes, 13, is connected with the contact 27 by a wire 29, in which is interposed a resistance' coil 30, that may be of the adjustable type if' desired. The other electrode, 14,is connected' by a wire, 31, .with one pole of a battery, 32, the other pole of which is connected by a wire, 33, withthe bracket 25 and therefore with the Contacts 24 and 26. The'first men tioned pole' of the battery is further con- .nected by a wire 34, with the lever 20, and

in the particular case illustrated by Fig. 1, the bulb 23 is included directly in ths portion of the circuit. Fig. 1 also indicates a wire 35 leading-from the bracket 25 to a switch`36 adapted to make contact with 'the wire 34, but these 'parts 35, 36 may be omitted, their only purposebeing to afford a means of testing the bulb 23 by closing the switch 36,' it being understood that said switch is normally open, as shown.

Fig. 1 illustrates the position of parts as they will be when the apparatus is exposed to daylight or other light sutficient to cause the gases (hydrogen and chlorine) within the vessel 10 to combine. It will be seen 'that the lever 20 is away from the contact 24, and

liqud 11, so that the pressure in the vessel 10 will not rise; the lever 20 will thus reno current passes through the bulb 23. A circuit isclosed, however, by the engagement of the Contacts 26 and 27, from the battery 32 through wire 33, Contacts 26, 27, wire 29 'and resistance coil 30, 7 electrode 13, liquid 11, electrode 14, and wire 31. The current flowing throu'ghthis circuit will electrolyze the hydrochloric a cid in the vessel 10, producing V hydrogen. and ch1orine in equal amounts. 'As long as these gases are exposed to. light, they -will combine to form hydrochloric acid gas, which' Will immediately become .dissolved in the solution or main in the position show'n. The use :of

calcium chloride as an ingredient of theas such, from dissolvng in the solution; however, satsfactory results may be obliquid is for the purpose of keeping chlorine, A

tained even when theliquid 11'consists eX- clusively of a solution of hydrochloric acd. The cell or vessel 10' may be filled with glass `wool, glass heads, or any inert porous ma- 'tion is proceeding as set forth above, darkness comes on. The gases (hydrogen and chlorine) will then no longer combine, and as a result pressure will increase in'the vessel 10. This will cause the lever20 to swing on its pivot 21 in such a -way as to bring the lever in, engagement with the contact 24.

This will close the `ollowing circuit; from v battery 32 through wire 33, bracket 25, contact 24, lever 20, wire 34 and lamp 23-back to battery 32'. The lanpor lamps in this circuit will thns be lighted. If the wire 33 were connected with the wire 29 directly at 28 (that is to say, if the parts 26 and 27 were omit'ted) the current' would flow through the vessel 10 permanently while the lights' 23 were burning, and the pressure in the vessel 10 would increase constantly. To v avoid thedanger of breakage resulting from this (and also to avoid waste of current) I have provided the switch or circuit breaker 26, 27 -As soon as the pressure in the vessel reaches a predete'mined point, the lever 20 will swing far enough to remove the contact 267 -from engagement with the contact 27, (Fig. 4) and the circuit through the' v electrolytic cell will thus be broken, while the; lamp Operating circuit Will remain closed. If then darkness disappears, the light falling on the hydrogen 'and schlorine in the vessel 10 will cause 'them to combine, and the hydrochloric vacid'thus formed will be dissolved again, th'us' reducing-the pres: sure in the vessel 10 and ,causing the lever 20 to return to. the position shown in Fig. v

1, in which the circuit Operating the lamp 23 e is broken. It will be noted that when the lamp-Operating circuit is closedat 20, 24, the' generation of gases'in-the vessel 10 does not' stop at once, but continues for a short while (until 26 is separated from 27) so that a slight excess pressureis produced in said vessel by the time the electrolytic circuit'is broken. This insures continued engagement of the lever 20 with the contact 24 even I .130

` nected by wires 42, '34 respectively With opduring vibrations of the entire' apparatus, and this feature is of special value' when the apparatus is mounted on a body such as an automobile, which is subjected to more or less violent j ars.

The sensitiveness of the device may be regulated by properly' choosing or varyng the resistance 30, or by the proper proportioning of'other features (for instance, the

distance between the electrodes 13, 14), so

that the device will be sensitive to any degree of light desired.

The elasticity of ordinary glass is quite suificient, particularly when the Vessel 10 is given a tapering form, as shown, to have the bottom of the vessel move in or out as the pressurein said Vessel Varies.

Inu the Construction illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the device, cludes an electrolytic circuit and .a. lampcontrolling circuit, the lamp 23 being in'-` cluded directly in the latter circuit. It is not necessary, however, that the lamp be in said circuit, butthe controlling circuit may afl'ectthe lamp 23 indirectly. For instant-e, Fig. 5 shows a magnet-coil 38 included in any -suitable portion of the controlling circut, say, the wire 34, and this coil and its core may operate an armature 39 forming a switch in a circuit 40 which includes the lamp 23 and a source of electricity 41. l`he parts 35, 36 would be omitted in this case; otherwise the Construction would be the same as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In case it is not'desired to continue the generation of gases for a short time after the controlling circuit has been closed, the Construction may be simplified so mewhat, as indicated in the'diagram Fig. 6., This simplified Construction could be used particularly when the apparatus is not subject to jars. In this Construction, one of the electrodes, say 14, and the lever 20 are conposite poles of thebattery 32 (and not with the same pole as in Fig. 1). The wire 29 r leads to a contact 43 located on one side of in vessellO increases sufliciently owing to.

'the lever 20 and adapted. to be engaged thereby when the pressure ina-the Vessel 's relatively low, that is to say, under daylight or similar conditions, thus closin the clectrol tic, circuit. On the other side ot' the lever 20 is located a contact 44, corresponding to the contact 24 of Figs. 1 3 and 4, and connected by the wire' 33 with the ,same pole of the battery as the wire 42.

In other respects, the Construction is the same as in Figs. 1 to 4.- Of course, n `Fig.

6 also, I might employ an ingzlirect operation, as inFig. 5, insteadof placing .the lamp 23 or other devce directly.` 'in the controlling circuit. Whenever the pressure the production of'gases in the dark, the level' 20 will be swung'as before, so that,

as described, in-

with the Construction shown in F ig. 6, the electrolytic circuit ,will be broken at 43, while practically at the same time the controlling circuit will be closed at 44.

Fig. 6 also illustrates a slightly diiierent Construction of the vessel 10. Instead of having a closed glass bottom to which the plate 18 is cemented as in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, the glass part of the vessel has an open' -end which is closed by the plate 18, which thus forms a bottom or movable wall for the Vessel 10. This plate would preferably be made of platinum, since a good joint of such material with glass cau be obtained by fusing. This form ot' bottom will move more readily than the one shown in Figs 1, 2, and 4 and the sensitiveness of the device will thus be ncreased.

Reference has been made above to the use of a second vessel or cell for the purpose of compensating for temperature changes. Thus, with a construction such as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, changes of temperature might cause the bottom of the Vessel to move and thus alter the position of the lever 20 relatively to thecontact 24, thereby interfering with the proper operation of the deyice. The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 would be so constructed as to minimize the lever movements due to temperature Variations, ,and generally, this would be sutlicicnt; still, there might be cases where the temperature would fluctuate through a wide range, and `whcre a compensating arrangement would be desirablc. Fig. 7 illustrates an example of such arrangement. The general arrangement would be the same as in' Fig. l, but ,the following additional parts would be provided.

respects also to the `vessel 10, and would ,contain a gas-space and a liquid of the same character as the vessel 10; there will be no electrodes, however, in connection with the Vessel 49, that is to say` it will'not form anelectrolytic cell nor does the vessel`45) have to be pervious to light; Fig. 7 may be assumed to represent the position of parts under' the conditions of the highest temperature to which the apparatus will be exposed. If the temperature of the air shouldfall, the bodics of liquid in? the vessels 10 and 49 will c ontra ct equally, the bottom of both Vessels moving in the same direction (toward the right) -and the adjacent ends of the ley e's 20 and 45 also moving in the same directioi (toward the leftl. The pa rts would be so proportioned that the contact 24 would always remain at the 'same distance from the adjacent point of the Switch lever 20, rrespective of' temperaturevariations, since these .would afi'ect equally the pressure in both vessels. The distance between the lever 20 and the contact 24 would however vary as before whenever the pressure invessel 10- would vary without a corresponding change 'of pressure occurring in vessel 49. It will be obvious that the operation of the circuit hreaker 26, 27 will be afl'ected slightly by' the double cell arrangenent of Fig. 7; that is to say, with a relatively low air teniperature a greater length of time will intervene between the'making of the contact at 20, 24 and the interruption ot theelectrolytic circuit at 26, 27 than when the temperature' of the air is relatively high. This diiference, however, will not aflect the general operation materially.

In the forms of-ny invention described above, the movement of the movablewall of Vessel 10 establishes, under certain con: ditions, a circuit for bringing into action, the lanp 23 or otherdevice to be controlled I desire ,it to be understood, however, that I do not wish to be restricted to the use of a controlling circuit, since' the lever 20, or the movable wall of the `vessel 10, might in some cases control the device to be governed, in other ways thanelectrically, for

iustance mechanically, or by fluid-pressure action ot' an operated device.

2. The method which consists in exposing to' the influence of light, gases of such "character as` will combine under the influproduce in the condition of suchgases, to

once of light, and in utilizing the changes which yariations in the intensity of light produce in the condition of such gases, to control the action of an operated device and also to control the generation of such gases.

3. The method which consists .in exposing to the influence of light, gases 'of such character as will combine under the infiuonce of light, and in utilizing the changes 'which variations in the intensity of light control the generation of such gases.

4:. 'lhe method which consists 'in confinug and electrolyzng within a closed space, a liquid of such a character as to produce by electrolysis gase that will remain-unconbined in the dark but will-combine under theinfluence of light and will`be dissolved in the' electrolyte to reconstitute the same, gathering such gases at a point where they will be exposed to the action of light, whereby the pressure within said space will be decreased whenever the Volume of the gases is reduced by their combination under the. influence of light and the solution of the compound in the electrolyte, and in utilizing the rariations of pressure resulting from variati'ons' in the intensity of light, to control the action of an operated device.

The method which consists in confining in a closed-space exposed to the influence of light, gases of such character as will comhine under the influence of light and a liquid that will dissolve the compound thus formed, thereby effecting a reduction ofthe gas Volume and a corresponding reduction of the pressure within said space under the influence of light, and in utilizing the variations of pressure resulting from Variations in the intensity of light, to control the action i of'an operated device.

6. The method which consists in confinng and electrolyzng within a closed space, a lqud ot such a character as 'to produce by electrolysis gases that will combine under the influence of light, gathering such gases at a point where they will\ be exposed to the v action of light, whereby the pressure within said space'willbe reduced whenever the Volume of the gases is'reduced by their combination under the influence of light and the solution of the compound insaid liquid, and in utilizng the variations of pressure resulting from variationsin the intensity of light, to control the action of an operated dev'ice.

7. The method which 'consists in confining and electrolyzing within a closed space, a liquid of such a character as to produce by electrolysis gases that will combine under the influence of light, gathering suchgases at a point where they will be exposed to the action of light, whereby the pressure within' said space will be reduced 'whenever' the Volume oft-he gases is reducedby their combination under the influence of light and the solution of the compound in said liquid, in util izingthe rise of the pressure within said space to a predeternined point, for arresting the electrolytic action, and in utilizing the' variations of pressure resulting from Variations in the intensity of light, to con trol the action of an operated device.

S. The 'method which consists in confining\in a closed space exposed to the action' of lightand,in the presence of heat-absorbing material, gases of such a character i i as will combne under the influence of light, and n utlzng the changes, which varia- -tions in the. intensity of lightprodu'c'e in the condition of such gases, to control the v action of an operated devce.,

9, The method which conssts in confining i tion of such gases, to control the action of an operated device. V

10. The method which consists in confining and electrolyzing in a closed space a liquid containing hydrochloric acid, gathering the resulting hydrogen and chlorine gasesat ,a point where they will be exposed to the action of light, whereby the pressure within sad'space will be decreased whenever the Volume of the gases is reduced by their combination under the influence of light and i the solution of the compound in said liquid,

and in utilizing the variations of pressure resulting from variations in the intensity of light, to control the action of an operated device. i

11. The method which consists in confining and`electrolyzing in a closed space. a liquid containing hydrochloric acid and calcium chloride, gathering the resulting hydrogen and chlorine gases at a point where they will be exposed to the action of light, whereby the pressure within said space will be decreased whenever the Volume of the gases is reduced by their combination under the influence of light and the solution of the compound in said liquid', and in utilizing the variations of pressure resulting from variations in the intensty of light, to control the action of an operated device. v 12. A device of the character described, comprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace adapted to be exposed to the action of light, and also having a member movable as the pressure varies within said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, of the type developing gases that will combine under the influence of light, an electrolytic circuit including said electrolyte, and means controlled by the movement of said member in response to pressure variations, in the cell.

13. A device of the character described, comprising an electrolytic cell having a gas- 'space adapted to be exposed to 'the action of light, and also having a member movable in response to variations of 'pressure within said cell. an electrolyte in said' cell, consisting of a solution containing hydrochloric acid, and means controlled by the movement of said member in response to pressure variations in the cell.

'14.' Adevice of the character described, comprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace ada ted to be exposed to the action of lght, an also having a member 'movable in response to variationsof pressure within said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, consisting of a solution containing hydrochloric acid and calcium choride, and means conciated wit trolled bythe movementof said member in response topressurevariations in the cell. 15. A device of the character descrbed,

.comprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace adapted to be exps'ed to the action of light, and also having a member movable as the presurevaries'within said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, of the type develop gases that Will combine -under the influence of light, an electrolytic circuit including said electrolyte, and means controlled the movement of said member in response to pressure variations in the cell, said means including a switch controlling the electrolytic circuit to arrest electrolytic action under conditions of' relative darkness.

16. A device of the character described,

comprising an electrolytic cell having a gas- I space 'adapted to be exposed .to the action of light, and also having a member movable as the' pressure varies within said cell, an electrolyte in said cell. of the type developing gases that will combine under the influence of light, an electrolytic circuit including said electrolyte, and means controlled by the ,movement of said member in response to pressure variations in the cell( said neans including a switch controlling the said elecx trolytic circuit.

17. A device of the character described, comprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace accessible-to the action of light, and also having a member movable in response to variations of pressure within said cell, an-

electrolyte in said cell, of the type developinggases that will combine under the influence of light, an electrolytic circuit associated with said electrolyte, a controlling circuit, and a switch governing 'said conrolling circuit, and controlled by the movement ofsaid member occurring in response to pressure variations in the cell.

18. A device of the character described, comprising an electrolytic cell having agasspaceaccessible to the action of light, 'and also having 'a member movable in response to variations of pressure within said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, of the type developing gases that will combine under the influence of li ht, an electrolytic circuit assosaid electrolyte, a controlling circuit, a' switch governing said controlling circuit, another switch controlling said electrolytic circuit, and means controlled by the' movement ofsaid member occurring in response to pressure variations in the cell, for controlling both of said switches. w

19. -A device of the character described,

- comprising an electrolytic cell having agas- 'space accessible to the action of light, and

ence of light, an electrolytic circuit ed with saidjelectrlyte, a controlling -circuit, a lever operated by the movement of.

said movable 'member and a contact adapted to be engaged by' said lever'to close the controlling circuit, an elastic carrier-on which ence of light and will be dissolved in the rier upon engaging the first-named contact.

` 20. A device .of the character described,

comprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace adapted to be exposedto the action of light, and also having a member' movable as the pressure varies within said cell, a liquid.

electrolyte in said cell, of the type' developing gases that will, remain uncombined in the dark but 'will combine under the influelectrolyte to reconstitute the samerwith a simultaneous reduction of pressure in the cell, an electrolytic .circuit including said electrolyte, and means controlled -bythe movement of said member in response to pressure variations in the cell. v

21. A device of the character described,` comprising a generator for producing gases ofthe type that will combine under the action of light, said generator having a gasspace adapted to be exposed to the action'of light, and 'also having a member movable in response to variations of the pressure within the generator, and means, controlled by the movement of said member, for overningthe operation of said generator.

' 22. A devce of the character described,

comprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace adapted to be exposed to the action of light, and also having a member movable as the pressure `varies in said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, of the type developing gases that will combine under the infl uence of man light, a switch element controlled by the movement of said member in response to pressure variations. in the cell, a contact adapted to be engaged bysai'd switch element, temperature-controlled means for causing said contact to follow 'such movements of the lever as are due to temperature-vari-ations so that the distance between said switch element and contact will notbe afi'ected by temperature' variations, and means controlledby said contact and switch element. v 23. A device of the character described, conprising an electrolytic cell having a gasspace adapted to be exposed to the action of light, and also having a member movable as the pressure varies in said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, of the type developing gases that y will combine under the influence of light, a switch element controlled by the movement of said member in response to pressure variations in the cell, a contact adapted to be engaged by said switch -element, a movable element carrying said contact, a cell containing a liquid of the same character as said electrolytic cell, and having a movable member, a connection between the last-named movable member and the contact-carrying element, and means controlled by said contact' and switch element,

24. A` device of the character described,

comprisingan electrolytic cell having a gas- 'movable in response to va'riations of`pressure in said cell, an electrolyte in said cell, of the type developing gases that will combine under the influence of light, and means controlled bythe movement of said member.

iri response to pressure vari-ations in the cell.

In testimony where'of I have signed this specification. i

' FERDlNAND LESLIE WIEDERHOLD. 

